Phenanthridine-n-oxides with pde-iv inhibiting activity

ABSTRACT

The N-oxides of the compounds of formula (I), in which R1, R2, R3, R31, R4, R5, R51 and R6 have the meanings indicated in the description, arm novel active bronchial therapeutics.

FIELD OF APPLICATION OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to novel phenanthridine-N-oxides, which are used in the pharmaceutical industry for the production of medicaments.

KNOWN TECHNICAL BACKGROUND

[0002] Chem.Ber. 1939, 72, 675-677, J. Chem. Soc., 1956, 4280-4283 and J. Chem. Soc.(C), 1971, 1805 describe the synthesis of 6-phenylphenanthridines. The International Applications WO 97/28131 and WO 97/35854 describe 6-phenyl- and 6-pyridylphenanthridines as PDE4 inhibitors.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0003] It has now been found that the novel N-oxides of substituted 6-phenylphenanthridines described in greater detail below have surprising and particularly advantageous properties. The invention thus relates to the N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I,

[0004] in which

[0005] R1 is hydroxyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 3-7C-cycloalkoxy, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethoxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,

[0006] R2 is hydroxyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 3-7C-cycloalkoxy, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,

[0007] or in which

[0008] R1 and R2 together are a 1-2C-alkylenedioxy group,

[0009] R3 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,

[0010] R31 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,

[0011] or in which

[0012] R3 and R31 together are a 1-4C-alkylene group,

[0013] R4 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,

[0014] R5 is hydrogen,

[0015] R51 is hydrogen,

[0016] or in which

[0017] R5 and R51 together represent an additional bond,

[0018] R6 is SO₂-N(R7)R8 or CO—N(R9)R10, where

[0019] R7 is hydrogen, 1-7C-alkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyimethyl or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical,

[0020] R8 is 1-7C-alkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical,

[0021] or where R7 and R8, together and including the nitrogen atom to which both are bonded, represent a 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidyl, 1-hexahydroazepinyl or 4-morpholinyl radical,

[0022] R9 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl,

[0023] R10 is an unsubstituted or R11-substituted pyridyl radical or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical, where

[0024] R11 is halogen, nitro, carboxyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkoxycarbonyl, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,

[0025] R12 is hydroxyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, and

[0026] R13 is hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkoxycarbonyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyloxy, amino, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylaminocarbonyl or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, and the salts of these N-oxides.

[0027] 1-4C-Alkyl represents a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples which may be mentioned are the butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, propyl, isopropyl and preferably the ethyl and methyl radicals.

[0028] 1-4C-Alkoxy represents radicals which, in addition to the oxygen atom, contain a straight-chain or branched alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples which may be mentioned are the butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy and preferably the ethoxy and methoxy radicals.

[0029] 3-7C-Cycloalkoxy represents cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy, cyclopentyloxy, cyclohexyloxy and cycloheptyloxy, of which cyclopropyloxy, cyclobutyloxy and cyclopentyloxy are preferred.

[0030] 3-7C-Cycloalkylmethoxy represents cyclopropylmethoxy, cyclobutylmethoxy, cyclopentylmethoxy, cyclohexylmethoxy and cycloheptylmethoxy, of which cyclopropylmethoxy, cyclobutylmethoxy and cyclopentylmethoxy are preferred.

[0031] As completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, for example, the 2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropoxy, the perfuoroethoxy, the 1,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, in particular the 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethoxy, the 2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy, the trifluoromethoxy and preferably the difluoromethoxy radicals may be mentioned. “Predominantly” in this connection means that more than half of the hydrogen atoms are replaced by fluorine atoms.

[0032] 1-2C-Alkylenedioxy represents, for example, the methylenedioxy [—O—CH₂—O—] and the ethylenedioxy [—O—CH₂—CH₂—O—] radicals.

[0033] If R3 and R31 together have the meaning 1-4C-alkylene, the positions 1 and 4 in the N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I are linked to one another by a 1-4C-alkylene bridge, 1-4C-alkylene representing straight-chain or branched alkylene radicals having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Examples which may be mentioned are the radicals methylene [—CH₂—], ethylene [—CH₂—CH₂—], trimethylene [—CH₂—CH₂—CH₂—], 1,2-dimethylethylene [—CH(CH₃)—CH(CH₃)—] and isopropylidene [—C(CH₃)₂—].

[0034] If R5 and R51 together are an additional bond, then the carbon atoms in positions 2 and 3 in the N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I are linked to one another via a double bond.

[0035] 1-7C-alkyl represents straight-chain or branched alkyl radicals having 1 to 7 carbon atoms. Examples which may be mentioned are the heptyl, isoheptyl (5-methylhexyl), hexyl, isohexyl (4-methylpentyl), neohexyl (3,3-dimethylbutyl), pentyl, isopentyl (3-methylbutyl), neopentyl (2,2-dimethyipropyl), butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, propyl, isopropyl, ethyl and methyl radicals.

[0036] 3-7C-Cycloalkyl represents cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl and cycloheptyl, of which cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl and cyclopentyl are preferred.

[0037] 3-7C-Cycloalkylmethyl represents a methyl radical which is substituted by one of the abovementioned 3-7C-cycloalkyl radicals. Preferably, the 3-5C-cycloalkyimethyl radicals cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl and cyclopentylmethyl may be mentioned.

[0038] Halogen within the meaning of the invention is bromine, chlorine or fluorine.

[0039] 1-4C-Alkoxycarbonyl represents a carbonyl group to which one of the abovementioned 1-4C-alkoxy radicals is bonded. Examples which may be mentioned are the methoxycarbonyl [CH₃O—C(O)—] and the ethoxycarbonyl [CH₃CH₂O—C(O)—] radicals.

[0040] 1-4C-Alkylcarbonyloxy represents a carbonyloxy group to which one of the abovementioned 1-4C-alkyl radicals is bonded. An example which may be mentioned is the acetoxy radical [CH₃C(O)—O—].

[0041] In addition to the nitrogen atom, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino radicals contain one or two of the above-mentioned 1-4C-alkyl radicals. Di-1-4C-alkylamino is preferred and here, in particular, dimethyl-, diethyl- or diisopropylamino.

[0042] In addition to the carbonyl group, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylaminocarbonyl radicals contain one of the above-mentioned mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino radicals. Examples which may be mentioned are the N-methyl-, the N,N-dimethyl-, the N-ethyl-, the N-propyl-, the N,N-diethyl- and the N-isopropylaminocarbonyl radicals.

[0043] Exemplary R11-substituted pyridyl radicals vhich may be mentioned are the radicals 2-chloropyrid-4-yl, 3-nitropyrid-4-yl, 2-methylpyrid-4-yl, 3-fluoropyrid-4-yl, 3-carboxypyrid-4-yl, 2-ethoxypyrid-4-yl, 3-fluoropyrid-5-yl, 2-dimethylaminopyrid-5-yl, 2-chloropyrid-3-yl, 4-trifluoromethylpyrid-3-yl, 2-methoxypyrid-5yl, 2-nitropyrid-3-yl, 3-methylpyrid-5-yl, 3-carboxypyrid-2-yl, 3-ethoxypyrid-2-yl, 5-nitropyrid-2-yl and 4-methoxycarbonylpyrid-3-yl.

[0044] Exemplary R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radicals which may be mentioned are the radicals 4-acetoxyphenyl, 3-aminophenyl, 4-aminophenyl, 2-bromophenyl, 4-bromophenyl, 2-chlorophenyl, 3-chlorophenyl, 4-chlorophenyl, 3-bromophenyl, 2,3-dichlorophenyl, 2,4-dichlorophenyl, 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl, 4-diethylamino-2-methylphenyl, 4-methoxyphenyl, 3-methoxyphenyl, 2-chloro-5-nitrophenyl, 4-chloro-3-nitrophenyl, 2,6-dichlorophenyl, 3,5-dichlorophenyl, 2,5-dichlorophenyl, 2,6-dibromophenyl, 2-cyanophenyl, 3-cyanophenyl, 4-cyanophenyl, 4-diethylaminophenyl, 4-dimethylaminophenyl, 2-fluorophenyl, 4-fluorophenyl, 3-fluorophenyl, 2,4-difluorophenyl, 2,6-difluorophenyl, 2-chloro-6-fluorophenyl, 2-fluoro-5-nitrophenyl, 2-hydroxyphenyl, 3-hydroxyphenyl, 3,4-dichlorophenyl, 4-hydroxyphenyl, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl, 2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl, 2,4-dihydroxyphenyl, 2-methoxyphenyl, 2,3-dimethoxyphenyl, 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 2,4-dimethoxyphenyl, 2-dimethylaminophenyl, 2-methylphenyl, 3-methylphenyl, 4-methylphenyl, 2-chloro-6-methylphenyl, 4-methyl-3-nitrophenyl, 2,4-dimethylphenyl, 2,6-dimethylphenyl, 2,3-dimethylphenyl, 2-nitrophenyl, 3-nitrophenyl, 4-nitrophenyl, 4-ethoxyphenyl, 2-trifluoromethylphenyl, 4-trifluoromethylphenyl, 3-trifluoromethylphenyl, 4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl, 3-trifluoromethoxyphenyl, 2-trifluoromethoxyphenyl.

[0045] Possible salts for the N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I—depending on substitution—are all acid addition salts or all salts with bases. Particular mention may be made of the pharmacologically tolerable salts of the inorganic and organic acids and bases customarily used in pharmacy. Those suitable are, on the one hand, water-soluble and water-insoluble acid addition salts with acids such as, for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, acetic acid, citric acid, D-gluconic acid, benzoic acid, 2-(4-hydroxybenzoyl)benzoic acid, butyric acid, sulfosalicylic acid, maleic acid, lauric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, embonic acid, stearic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, methanesulfonic acid or 3-hydroxy-2-naphthoic acid, it being possible to employ the acids in salt preparation—depending on whether a mono- or polybasic acid is concerned and depending on which salt is desired—in an equimolar quantitative ratio or one differing therefrom.

[0046] On the other hand, salts with bases are also suitable. Examples of salts with bases which may be mentioned are alkali metal (lithium, sodium, potassium) or calcium, aluminum, magnesium, titanium, ammonium, meglumine or guanidinium salts, where here too the bases are employed in salt preparation in an equimolar quantitative ratio or one differing therefrom.

[0047] Pharmacologically intolerable salts which can initially be obtained, for example, as process products in the preparation of the compounds according to the invention on an industrial scale are converted into pharmacologically tolerable salts by processes known to the person skilled in the art.

[0048] It is known to the person skilled in the art that the N-oxides according to the invention and their salts, when they are isolated, for example, in crystalline form, can contain various amounts of solvents. The invention therefore also comprises all solvates and in particular all hydrates of the N-oxides according to the invention, and also all solvates and in particular all hydrates of the salts of the N-oxides according to the invention.

[0049] The N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I to be emphasized are those in which

[0050] R1 is 1-2C-alkoxy, 3-5C-cycloalkoxy, 3-5C-cycloalkylmethoxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-2C-alkoxy,

[0051] R2 is 1-2C-alkoxy, 3-5C-cycloalkoxy, 3-5C-cycloalkylmethoxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-2C-alkoxy,

[0052] R3 is hydrogen,

[0053] R31 is hydrogen,

[0054] R4 is hydrogen or 1-2C-alkyl,

[0055] R5 is hydrogen,

[0056] R51 is hydrogen,

[0057] or in which

[0058] R5 and R51 together represent an additional bond,

[0059] R6 is SO₂-N(R7)R8 or CO—N(R9)R10, where

[0060] R7 is hydrogen, 1-4C-alkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical,

[0061] R8 is 1-4C-alkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13- substituted phenyl radical,

[0062] or where R7 and R8, together and including the nitrogen atom to which both are bonded, represent a 1-piperidyl or 4-morpholinyl radical,

[0063] R9 is hydrogen,

[0064] R10 is an unsubstituted or R11-substituted pyridyl radical or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical, where

[0065] R11 is halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,

[0066] R12 is hydroxyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy,

[0067] R13 is hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkoxycarbonyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyloxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy,

[0068] and the salts of these N-oxides.

[0069] The N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I particularly to be emphasized are those in which

[0070] R1 is 1-2C-alkoxy,

[0071] R2 is 1-2C-alkoxy,

[0072] R3, R31, R4, R5 and R51 are hydrogen,

[0073] R6 is SO₂-N(R7)R8 or CO—N(R9)R10, where

[0074] R7 is hydrogen, 1-4C-alkyl or an unsubstituted or R13-substituted phenyl radical,

[0075] R8 is 1-4C-alkyl or an unsubstituted or R13-substituted phenyl radical,

[0076] R9 is hydrogen,

[0077] R10 is an unsubstituted pyridyl radical or an unsubstituted or R13-substituted phenyl radical, and

[0078] R13 is halogen, cyano, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy,

[0079] and the salts of these N-oxides.

[0080] Preferred N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I are those in which

[0081] R1 is 1-2C-alkoxy,

[0082] R2 is 1-2C-alkoxy,

[0083] R3, R31, R4, R5 and R51 are hydrogen,

[0084] R6 is CO—N(R9)R10, where

[0085] R9 is hydrogen and

[0086] R10 is 4-methoxyphenyl,

[0087] and the salts of these N-oxides.

[0088] The N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I are chiral compounds having chiral centers in positions 4a and 10b and, depending on the meaning of the subsUtuents R3, R31, R4, R5 and R51 further chiral centers in the positions 1, 2, 3 and 4.

[0089] The invention therefore comprises all conceivable pure diastereomers and pure enantiomers and their mixtures in any mixing ratio, including the racemates. The N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I are preferred in which the hydrogen atoms in positions 4a and 10b are cis to one another. The pure cis enantiomers are particularly preferred.

[0090] In this connection, particularly preferred N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I are those in which positions 4a and 1Ob have the same absolute configuration as the compound (−)-cis-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminocyclohexyl)benzene employable as a starting compound and having the optical rotation [α]_(D) ²⁰=58.5 (c=1, ethanol).

[0091] The enantiomers can be separated in a manner known per se (for example by preparation and separation of appropriate diastereoisomeric compounds).

[0092] Preferably, an enantiomer separation is carried out at the stage of the starting compounds of the formula IV

[0093] for example by means of salt formation of the racemic compounds of the formula IV with optically active carboxylic acids. Examples which may be mentioned in this connection are the enantiomeric forms of mandelic acid, tararic acid, O,O′-dibenzoyltartaric acid, camphoric acid, quinic acid, glutamic acid, malic acid, camphorsulfonic acid, 3-bromocamphorsulfonic acid, α-methoxyphenylacetic acid, α-methoxy-α-trifluoromethylphenylacetic acid and 2-phenyipropionic acid. Alternatively, enantiomerically pure starting compounds of the formula IV can also be prepared via asymmetric syntheses.

[0094] The N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I can be prepared, for example, by the process described below in greater detail.

[0095] The process comprises subjecting compounds of the formula I, in which R1, R2, R3, R31, R4, R5, R51 and R6 have the meanings indicated above, to an N-oxidation and, optionally, then converting the N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I obtained into their salts, or, optionally, then converting salts of the N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I obtained into the free compounds.

[0096] The N-oxidation is carried out in a manner familiar to the person skilled in the art, e.g. with the aid of hydrogen peroxide in methanol or with the aid of m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid in dichloromethane at room temperature. The person skilled in the art will be familiar on the basis of his/her expert knowledge with the reaction conditions which are specifically necessary for carrying out the N-oxidation.

[0097] Compounds of the formula I, in which R1, R2, R3, R31, R4, R5, R51 and R6 have the meanings indicated above, can be prepared from the corresponding compounds of the formula II by a cyclocondensation reaction.

[0098] The cyclocondensation is carried out in a manner known per se to the person skilled in the art, according to Bischier-Napieralski (e.g. as described in J. Chem. Soc., 1956, 4280-4282) in the presence of a suitable condensing agent, such as, for example, polyphosphoric acid, phosphorus pentachloride, phosphorus pentoxide or preferably phosphorus oxychloride, in a suitable inert solvent, e.g. in a chlorinated hydrocarbon such as chloroform, or in a cyclic hydrocarbon such as toluene or xylene, or another inert solvent such as acetonitrile, or without further solvent using an excess of condensing agent, preferably at elevated temperature, in particular at the boiling temperature of the solvent or condensing agent used.

[0099] Compounds of the formula II in which R1, R2, R3, R31, R4, R5, R51 and R6 have the meanings indicated above are accessible from the corresponding compounds of the formula IV, in which R1, R2, R3, R31, R4, R5 and R51 have the meanings indicated above, by reaction with compounds of the formula III,

[0100] in which R6 has the meanings indicated above and X represents a suitable leaving group, preferably a chlorine atom. For example, the acylation or benzoylation is carried out as described in the following examples or as in J. Chem. Soc. (C), 1971, 1805-1808.

[0101] Compounds of the formula III and compounds of the formula IV are either known or can be prepared in a known manner.

[0102] Compounds of the formula III, in which R6 is CON(R9)R10 and R9 and R10 have the meanings indicated above, are obtainable, for example, starting from the phenyldicarboxylic acids (phthalic acid, isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid) by monoester monoacid halide formation, reaction with a suitably substituted amine, aniline or aminopyridine and subsequent acid halide formation of the monoester group.

[0103] The compounds of the formula IV can be prepared, for example, from compounds of the formula V,

[0104] in which R1, R2, R3, R31, R4, R5 and R51 have the abovementioned meanings, by reduction of the nitro group.

[0105] The reduction is carried out in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, for example as described in J. Org. Chem. 1962, 27, 4426 or as described in the following examples.

[0106] The reduction can be carried out, for example, by catalytic hydrogenation, e.g. in the presence of Raney nickel, in a lower alcohol such as methanol or ethanol at room temperature and under normal or elevated pressure. Optionally, a catalytic amount of an acid, such as, for example, hydrochloric acid, can be added to the solvent. Preferably, however, the reduction is carried out using metals such as zinc or iron with organic acids such as acetic acid or mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid.

[0107] The compounds of the formula IV in which R1, R2, R3, R31 and R4 have the meanings indicated above and R5 and R51 together represent an additional bond can be prepared from the corresponding compounds of the formula V by selective reduction of the nitro group in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, for example in the presence of Raney nickel in a lower alcohol as solvent using hydrazine hydrate as a hydrogen donor.

[0108] The compounds of the formula V, in which R1, R2, R3, R31 and R4 have the meanings indicated above and R5 and R51 are hydrogen, are either known or can be prepared from corresponding compounds of the formula V in which R5 and R51 together are an additional bond. The reaction can be carried out in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, preferably by hydrogenation in the presence of a catalyst, such as, for example, palladium on active carbon, e.g. as described in J. Chem. Soc. (C), 1971, 1805-1808.

[0109] The compounds of the formula V, in which R5 and R51 together are an additional bond, are either known or can be obtained by the reaction of compounds of the formula VI,

[0110] in which R1 and R2 have the meanings mentioned above, with compounds of the formula VII,

R3-CH=C(R4)-C(R4)=CH-R31 (VII)

[0111] in which R3, R31 and R4 have the meanings mentioned above.

[0112] Compounds of the formula V, in which R5 and R51 together represent an additional bond and R3 and R31 together are a 1-4C-alkylene group can, for example, be obtained by reaction of cyclic compounds of the formula VII, in which R4 has the above-mentioned meanings and R3 and R31 together are a 1-4C-alkylene group [for example cyclohexa-1,3-dien, 2,3-dimethylcyclohexa-1,3-dien, cyclohepta-1,3-dien, 2,3-dimethylcyclohepta-1,3-dien or cycloocta-1,3-dien] with compounds of the formula VI, in which R1 and R2 have the above-mentioned meanings.

[0113] The cycloaddition is in this case carried out in a manner known to the person skilled in the art according to Diels-Alder, e.g. as described in J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1957, 79, 6559 or in J. Org. Chem. 1952, 17, 581 or as described in the following examples.

[0114] Compounds of the formula V obtained in the cycloaddition, in which the phenyl ring and the nitro group are trans to one another, can be converted in a manner known to the person skilled in the art into the corresponding cis compounds, e.g. as described in J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 1957, 79, 6559 or as described in the following examples.

[0115] The compounds of the formulae VI and VII are either known or can be prepared in a known manner. The compounds of the formula VI can be prepared, for example, in a manner known to the person skilled in the art from corresponding compounds of the formula Vil as described, for example, in J. Chem. Soc. 1951, 2524 or in J. Org. Chem. 1944, 9, 170 or as described in the following examples.

[0116] The compounds of the formula VIII,

[0117] in which R1 and R2 have the meanings indicated above, are either known or can be prepared in a manner known to the person skilled in the art, as described, for example, in Ber. Dtsch. Chem. Ges. 1925, 58, 203.

[0118] It is moreover known to the person skilled in the art that if there are a number of reactive centers on a starting or intermediate compound it may be necessary to block one or more reactive centers temporarily by protective groups in order to allow a reaction to proceed specifically at the desired reaction center. A detailed description for the use of a large number of proven protective groups is found, for example, in T. W. Greene, Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis, John Wiley & Sons, 1991.

[0119] The isolation and purification of the substances according to the invention is carried out in a manner known per se, e.g. by distilling off the solvent in vacuo and recrystallizing the resulting residue from a suitable solvent or subjecting it to one of the customary purification methods, such as, for example, column chromatography on suitable support material.

[0120] Salts are obtained by dissolving the free compound in a suitable solvent (e.g. a ketone, such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone or methyl isobutyl ketone, an ether, such as diethyl ether, tetradhyrofuran or dioxane, a chlorinated hydrocarbon, such as methylene chloride or chloroform, or a low molecular weight aliphatic alcohol such as ethanol or isopropanol) which contains the desired acid or base, or to which the desired acid or base is then added. The salts are obtained by filtering, reprecipitating, precipitating with a nonsolvent for the addition salt or by evaporating the solvent. Salts obtained can be converted by alkalization or by acidification into the free compounds, which in turn can be converted into salts. In this way, pharmacologically intolerable salts can be converted into pharmacologically tolerable salts.

[0121] The following examples serve to illustrate the invention further without restricting it. Likewise, further compounds of the formula I, whose preparation is not explicitly described, can be prepared in an analogous manner or in a manner familiar per se to the person skilled in the art using customary process techniques.

[0122] In the examples, m.p stands for melting point, h for hour(s), RT for room temperature, EF for empirical formula, MW for molecular weight, calc. for calculated, fnd. for found. The N-oxides mentioned in the examples and their salts are a preferred subject of the invention.

EXAMPLES Final Products 1. (−)-cis-8,9-Dimethoxy-6-[3-(4-methoxyphenylamido)phenyl]-1,2,3,4,4a,10b-hexahydrophenanthridine-5-N-oxide

[0123] 1 g of (−)-cis-8,9-dimethoxy-6-[3-(4-methoxyphenylamido)phenyl]-1,2,3,4,4a,10b-hexahydrophenanthridine (compound A1) are dissolved in 40 ml of methylene chloride and treated with 1-2 equivalents of m-chloroperoxybenzoic acid under a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture is allowed to come to RT with stirring and the solvent is removed under reduced pressure after reaction is complete. Purification is carried out by silica gel chromatography with ethyl acetatelpetroleum ether/triethylamine in the ratio 6/3/1. After solvent-evaporation of the product containing fractions 410 mg of the title compound of m.p. 229-230° C. are obtained. EF: C₂₉H₃₀N₂O₅: MW: 486.57 Elemental analysis: calc.: C 71.59 H 6.21 N 5.76 fnd.: C 71.46 H 6.29 N 5.69 Optical Rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁰ = −22.5° (c = 0.5, ethanol)

Starting Compounds A1. (−)-cis-8,9-Dimethoxy-6-[3-(4-methoxyphenylamido)phenyl]-1,2,3,4,4a,10b-hexahydrophenanthridine

[0124] 6.6 g of (−)-cis-N-[2-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)isophthalamide (compound B1) are dissolved in 150 ml of acetonitrile and 3.5 ml of phosphoryl chloride and the solution is stirred at 80° C. for 2 h. The reaction mixture is concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue is treated with sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is dried using sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue is taken up in petroleum ether (low)/ethyl acetate in the ratio 2/1, filtered off with suction and dried. 4.51 g of the title compound of m.p. 209-211° C. are obtained. EF: C₂₉H₃₀N₂O₄: MW: 470.57 Elemental analysis × 0.12 H₂O: calc.: C 73.68 H 6.45 N 5.93 fnd.: C 73.75 H 6.51 N 5.85 Optical Rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁰ = −116° (c = 0.2, ethanol)

B1. (−)-cis-N-[2-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]-N′-(4-methoxyphenyl)isophthalamide

[0125] 4.0 g of (−)-cis-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminocyclohexyl)benzene (compound C2) are dissolved in 100 ml of methylene chloride and 5.0 ml of triethylamine. The solution is added dropwise at RT to 4.95 g of 3-(4-methoxyphenylcarbamoyl)benzoyl chloride in 50 ml of methylene chloride and the mixture is extracted with 100 ml each of water, 2N hydrochloric acid, satd. sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and water again after stirring overnight. The organic phase is dried using sodium sulfate and concentrated. The residue is taken up in petroleum ether (low)/ethyl acetate in the ratio 2/1, filtered off with suction and dried. 7.14 g of the title compound are obtained. Optical Rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁰ = −151.3° (c = 0.2, ethanol)

C1. (+/−)-cis-1 2-Dimethoxy-4-(2-aminocyclohexyl)benzene

[0126] 125 g of (+/−)-cis-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-nitrocyclohexyl)benzene and 120 g of zinc powder or granules are suspended in 1300 ml of ethanol. 220 ml of acetic acid are added dropwise at boiling heat. The precipitate is filtered off with suction and washed with ethanol, and the filtrate is concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in hydrochloric acid and extracted with toluene. The aqueous phase is rendered alkaline using 50% strength sodium hydroxide solution, the precipitate is filtered off with suction and the filtrate is extracted with toluene. The organic phase is dried using sodium sulfate and concentrated. 98 g of the title compound are obtained as a crystallizing oil,

[0127] Alternatively:

[0128] 8.5 g of (+/−)-cis-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-nitrocyclohexyl)benzene are dissolved in 400 ml of methanol and treated at RT with 7 ml of hydrazine hydrate and 2.5 g of Raney nickel in portions in the course of 8 h. After stirring overnight at RT, the reaction mixture is filtered, the filtrate is concentrated and the residue is chromatographed on silica gel using a mixture of toluenelethyl acetate/triethylamine=4/210.5. The title compound is obtained as an oil.

C2. (−)-cis 1,2-Dimethoxy-4-(2-aminocyclohexyl)benzene

[0129] 12.0 g of (+/−)-cis-1,2-dimethoxy4-(2-aminocyclohexylibenzene and 6.2 g of (−)-mandelic acid are dissolved in 420 ml of dioxane and 60 ml of tetrahydrofuran and the solution is stirred overnight at RT. The solid is filtered off with suction, dried, treated with 100 ml of saturated sodium hydrogencarbonate solution and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is dried using sodium sulphate and concentrated under reduced pressure. 4.8 g of the title compound are obtained of m.p.: 80-81.5° C. Optical rotation: [α]_(D) ²⁰=−58.5° C. (c=1, ethanol).

D1. (+/−)-cis-1,2-Dimethoxy-4-(2-nitrocyclohexyl)benzene

[0130] 8.4 g of (+/−)-cis-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-nitrocyclohex-4-enyl)benzene are dissolved in 450 ml of methanol, treated with 2 ml of conc. hydrochloric acid and hydrogenated after addition of 500 mg of 10% strength Pd/C. The reaction mixture is filtered and the filtrate is concentrated. M.p.: 84-86.5° C.

D2. (+/−)-cis-1 2-Dimethoxy-4-(2-nitrocyclohex-4-enyl)benzene

[0131] 10.0 g of (+/−)-trans-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-nitrocyclohex-4-enyl)benzene and 20.0 g of potassium hydroxide are dissolved in 150 ml of ethanol and 35 ml of dimethylformamide. A solution of 17.5 ml of conc. sulfuric acid in 60 ml of ethanol is then added dropwise such that the internal temperature does not exceed 4° C. After stirring for 1 h, the mixture is added to 1 l of ice water, the precipitate is filtered off with suction, washed with water and dried, and the crude product is recrystallized from ethanol. 8.6 g of the title compound of m.p. 82.5-84° C. are obtained.

D3. (+/−)-trans-1,2-Dimethoxy4-(2-nitrocyclohex-4-enylbenzene

[0132] 50.0 g of 3,4-dimethoxy-ω-nitrostyrene and 1.0 g (9.1 mmol) of hydroquinone are suspended in 200 ml of abs. toluene and treated at −70° C. with 55.0 g (1.02 mol) of liquid 1,3-butadiene. The mixture is stirred at 160° C. for 6 days in an autoclave and then cooled. Some of the solvent is removed on a rotary evaporators and the resulting precipitate is filtered off with suction and recrystallized in ethanol. M.p.: 113.5-115.5° C.

E1. 3,4-Dimethoxy-ω-nitrostyrene

[0133] 207.0 g of 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, 100.0 g of ammonium acetate and 125 ml of nitromethane are heated to boiling for 3-4 h in 1.0 l of glacial acetic acid. After cooling in an ice bath, the precipitate is filtered off with suction, rinsed with glacial acetic acid and petroleum ether and dried. M.p.: 140-141° C. Yield: 179.0 g.

Commercial Applicability

[0134] The N-oxides according to the invention have valuable pharmacological properties which make them commercially utilizable. As selective cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitors (namely of type 4), they are suitable on the one hand as bronchial therapeutics (for the treatment of airway obstructions on account of their dilating but also on account of their respiratory rate- or respiratory drive-increasing action) and for the elimination of erectile dysfunction on account of the vasodilating action, but on the other hand especially for the treatment of disorders, in particular of inflammatory nature, e.g. of the airways (asthma prophylaxis), of the skin, of the central nervous system, of the intestine, of the eyes and of the joints, which are mediated by mediators such as histamine, PAF (platelet-activating factor), arachidonic acid derivatives such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins, cytokines, interleukins, chemokines, alpha-, beta- and gamma-interferon, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or oxygen radicals and proteases. The N-oxides according to the invention are distinguished here by low toxicity, good enteral absorption (high bioavailability), a large therapeutic breadth and the absence of significant side-effects.

[0135] On account of their PDE-inhibiting properties, the N-oxides according to the invention can be employed in human and veterinary medicine and therapeutics, where they can be used, for example, for the treatment and prophylaxis of the following illnesses: acute and chronic (in particular inflammatory and allergen-induced) airway disorders of various origins (bronchitis, allergic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, emphysema, COPD); dermatoses (especially of proliferative, inflammatory and allergic type) such as, for example, psoriasis (vulgaris), toxic and allergic contact eczema, atopic eczema, seborrheic eczema, lichen simplex, sunburn, pruritus in the anogenital area, alopecia areata, hypertrophic scars, discoid lupus erythematosus, follicular and wide-area pyodermias, endogenous and exogenous acne, acne rosacea and other proliferative, inflammatory and allergic skin disorders; disorders which are based on an excessive release of TNF and leukotrienes, e.g. disorders of the arthritis type (rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid spondylitis, osteoarthritis and other arthritic conditions), disorders of the immune system (AIDS, multiple sclerosis), graft-versus-host reactions, transplant rejection reactions, symptoms of shock [septic shock, endotoxin shock, gram-negative sepsis, toxic shock syndrome and ARDS (adult respiratory distress syndrome)], and generalized inflammations in the gastrointestinal area (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis); disorders which are based on allergic and/or chronic, faulty immunological reactions in the area of the upper airways (pharynx, nose) and the adjacent regions (paranasal sinuses, eyes), such as, for example, allergic rhinitis/sinusitis, chronic rhinitis/sinusitis, allergic conjunctivitis and nasal polyps; but also disorders of the heart which can be treated by PDE inhibitors, such as, for example, cardiac insufficiency, or disorders which can be treated on account of the tissue-relaxant action of the PDE inhibitors, such as, for example, erectile dysfunction or colics of the kidneys and the ureters in connection with kidney stones. In addition, the N-oxides according to the invention can be employed for the treatment of diabetes insipidus and disorders in connection with disturbances of brain metabolism, such as, for example, cerebral senility, senile dementia (Alzheimer's dementia), multiinfarct dementia or alternatively disorders of the CNS, such as, for example, depressions or arteriosclerotic dementia.

[0136] A further subject of the invention is a process for the treatment of mammals, including man, which are suffering from one of the abovementioned illnesses. The process comprises administering to the sick mammal a therapeutically efficacious and pharmacologically tolerable amount of one or more of the N-oxides according to the invention.

[0137] The invention further relates to the N-oxides according to the invention for use in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of illnesses, in particular the illnesses mentioned.

[0138] The invention likewise relates to the use of the N-oxides according to the invention for the production of medicaments which are employed for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of the illnesses mentioned.

[0139] Medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of the illnesses mentioned, which contain one or more of the N-oxides according to the invention, are furthermore a subject of the invention.

[0140] A further subject of the invention is a commercial product, consisting of a customary secondary pack, a primary pack containing the medicament (for example an ampoule or a blister pack) and, optionaliy, a pack insert, the medicament exhibiting antagonistic action against cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases of type 4 (PDE4) and leading to the attenuation of the symptoms of illnesses which are connected with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases of type 4, and the suitability of the medicament for the prophylaxis or treatment of illnesses which are connected with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases of type 4 being indicated on the secondary pack and/or on the pack insert of the commercial product, and the medicament containing one or more N-oxides of the compounds of the formula I according to the invention. The secondary pack, the primary pack containing the medicament and the pack insert otherwise comply with what would be regarded as standard to the person skilled in the art for medicaments of this type.

[0141] The medicaments are prepared by processes which are known per se and familiar to the person skilled in the art. As medicaments, the N-oxides according to the invention (=active compounds) are either employed as such, or preferably in combination with suitable pharmaceutical excipients, e.g. in the form of tablets, coated tablets, capsules, suppositories, patches, emulsions, suspensions, gels or solutions, the active compound content advantageously being between 0.1 and 95%.

[0142] The person skilled in the art is familiar on the basis of his/her expert knowledge with the excipients which are suitable for the desired pharmaceutical formulations. In addition to solvents, gel-forming agents, ointment bases and other active compound vehicles, it is possible to use, for example, antioxidants, dispersants, emulsifiers, preservatives, solubilizers or permeation promoters.

[0143] For the treatment of disorders of the respiratory tract, the N-oxides according to the invention are preferably also administered by inhalation. For this, these are either administered directly as a powder (preferably in micronized form) or by nebulization of solutions or suspensions which contain them. With respect to the preparations and administration forms, reference is made, for example, to the details in European Patent 163 965.

[0144] For the treatment of dermatoses, the N-oxides according to the invention are in particular used in the form of those medicaments which are suitable for topical application. For the production of the medicaments, the N-oxides according to the invention (=active compounds) are preferably mixed with suitable pharmaceutical excipients and further processed to give suitable pharmaceutical formulations. Suitable pharmaceutical formulations which may be mentioned are, for example, powders, emulsions, suspensions, sprays, oils, ointments, fatty ointments, creams, pastes, gels or solutions.

[0145] The medicaments according to the invention are prepared by processes known per se. Dosage of the active compounds takes place in the order of magnitude customary for PDE inhibitors. Thus topical application forms (such as, for example, ointments) for the treatment of dermatoses contain the active compounds in a concentration of, for example, 0.1-99%. The dose for administration by inhalation is customarily between 0.1 and 3 mg per day. The customary dose in the case of systemic therapy (p.o. or i.v.) is between 0.03 and 3 mg per kilogram per day.

Biological Investigations

[0146] In the investigation of PDE4 inhibition at the cellular level, the activation of inflammatory cells has particular importance. As an example, the FMLP (N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine)-induced superoxide production of neutrophilic granulocytes may be mentioned, which can be measured as luminol-potentiated chemoluminescence [McPhail L C, Strum S L, Leone P A and Sozzani S, The neutrophil respiratory burst mechanism. In “Immunology Series” 1992, 57, 47-76; ed. Coffey R G (Marcel Decker, Inc. New York-Basle-Hong Kong)].

[0147] Substances which inhibit chemoluminescence and cytokine secretion and the secretion of inflammatory mediators on inflammatory cells, in particular neutrophilic and eosinophilic granulocytes, T lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages, are those which inhibit PDE4. This isoenzyme of the phosphodiesterase families is particularly represented in granutocytes. Its inhibition leads to an increase in the intracellular cyclic AMP concentration and thus to the inhibition of cell activation. PDE4 inhibition by the substances according to the invention is thus a central indicator of the suppression of inflammatory processes (Glembycz M A, Could isoenzyme-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors render bronchodilatory therapy redundant in the treatment of bronchial asthma?. Biochem Pharmacol 1992, 43, 2041-2051; Torphy T J et al., Phosphodiesterase inhibitors: new opportunities for treatment of asthma. Thorax 1991, 46, 512-523; Schudt C et al., Zardaverine: a cyclic AMP PDE 3/4 inhibitor. In “New Drugs for Asthma Therapy”, 379402, Birkhatuser Verlag Basle 1991; Schudt C et al., Influence of selective phosphodiesterase inhibitors on human neutrophil functions and levels of cAMP and Ca; Naunyn-Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol 1991, 344, 682-690; Tenor H and Schudt C, Analysis of PDE isoenzyme profiles in cells and tissues by pharmacological methods. in “Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors”, 21-40, “The Handbook of Immunopharmacology”, Academic Press, 1996; Hatzelmann A et al., Enzymatic and functional aspects of dual-selective PDE3/4-inhibitors. In “Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors”, 147-160. “The Handbook of Immunopharmacology”, Academic Press, 1996).

Inhibition of PDE4 Activity Methodology

[0148] The activity test can be carried out, for example, according to the method of Bauer and Schwabe. For this, the method is adapted to microfiter plates (Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Arch. Pharmacol. 1980, 311, 193-198). The PDE reaction takes place in the first step here. In a second step, the resulting 5′-nucleotide is cleaved by a 5′-nucleotidase of the snake venom of Crotalus atrox to the uncharged nucleoside. In the third step, the nucleoside is separated from the remaining charged substrate on ion-exchange columns. The columns are eluted directly into minivials, into which 2 ml of scintillator fluid are additionally added for counting, using 2 ml of 30 mM ammonium formate (pH 6.0).

[0149] The inhibitory values determined for the compounds according to the invention [inhibitory concentration as -log IC₅₀ (mol/l)] follow from the following Table A, in which the numbers of the compounds correspond to the numbers of the examples. TABLE A Inhibition of the PDE4 activity Compound −log IC₅₀ 1 6.73 

1. An N-oxide of the compounds of the formula I,

in which R1 is hydroxyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 3-7C-cycloalkoxy, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethoxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, R2 is hydroxyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 3-7C-cycloalkoxy, 3-7C-cycioalkylmethoxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, or in which R1 and R2 together are a 1-2C-alkylenedioxy group, R3 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, R31 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, or in which R3 and R31 together are a 1-4C-aikylene group, R4 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, R5 is hydrogen, R51 is hydrogen, or in which R5 and R51 together represent an additional bond, R6 is SO₂-N(R7)R8 or CO—N(R9)R10, where R7 is hydrogen, 1-7C-alkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl or an unsubstituted or R12- and for R13-substituted phenyl radical, R8 is 1-7C-alkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cyclo-alkylmethyl or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical, or where R7 and R8, together and including the nitrogen atom to which both are bonded, represent a 1-pyrrolidinyl, 1-piperidyl, 1-hexahydroazepinyl or 4-morpholinyl radical, R9 is hydrogen or 1-4C-alkyl, R10 is an unsubstituted or R11-substituted pyridyl radical or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical, where R11 is halogen, nitro, carboxyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkoxycarbonyl, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, R12 is hydroxyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, R13 is hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkoxycarbonyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyloxy, amino, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylamino, aminocarbonyl, mono- or di-1-4C-alkylaminocarbonyl or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, or a salt of this N-oxide.
 2. An N-oxide of the compounds of the formula I as claimed in claim 1, in which R1 is 1-2C-alkoxy, 3-5C-cycloalkoxy, 3-5C-cycloalkylmethoxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-2C-alkoxy, R2 is 1-2C-alkoxy, 3-5C-cycloalkoxy, 3-5C-cycloalkylmethoxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-2G-alkoxy, R3 is hydrogen, R31 is hydrogen, R4 is hydrogen or 1-2C-alkyl, R5 is hydrogen, R51 is hydrogen, or in which R5 and R51 together represent an additionai bond, R6 is SO₂-N(R7)R8 or CO—N(R9)R10, where R7 is hydrogen, 1-4C-alkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyimethyl or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical, R8 is 1-4C-alkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkyl, 3-7C-cycloalkylmethyl or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical, or where R7 and R8, together and including the nitrogen atom to which both are bonded, represent a 1-piperidyl or 4-morpholinyl radical, R9 is hydrogen, R10 is an unsubstituted or R11-substituted pyridyl radical or an unsubstituted or R12- and/or R13-substituted phenyl radical, where R11 is halogen, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4C-alkoxy, R12 is hydroxyl, halogen, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, R13 is hydroxyl, halogen, nitro, cyano, carboxyl, 1-4C-alkyl, trifluoromethyl, 1-4C-alkoxy, 1-4C-alkoxycarbonyl, 1-4C-alkylcarbonyloxy or completely or predominantly fluorine-substituted 1-4-alkoxy, or a salt of this N-oxide.
 3. An N-oxide of the compounds of the formula I as claimed in claim 1, in which R1 is 1-2C-alkoxy, R2 is 1-2C-alkoxy, R3, R31, R4, R5 and R51 are hydrogen, R6 is SO₂-N(R7)R8 or CO—N(R9)R10, where R7 is hydrogen, 1-4C-alkyl or an unsubstituted or R13-substituted phenyl radical, R8 is 1-4C-alkyl or an unsubstituted or R13-substituted phenyl radical, R9 is hydrogen, R10 is an unsubstituted pyridyl radical or an unsubstituted or R13-substituted phenyl radical, and R13 is halogen, cyano, 1-4C-alkyl or 1-4C-alkoxy, or a salt of this N-oxide.
 4. An N-oxide of the compounds of the formula I as claimed in claim 1, in which R1 is 1-2C-alkoxy, R2 is 1-2C-alkoxy, R3, R31, R4, R5 and R51 are hydrogen, R6 is CO—N(R9)R10, where R9 is hydrogen and R10 is 4-methoxyphenyl, or a salt of this N-oxide.
 5. An N-oxide of the compounds of the formula I as claimed in one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, which has the same absolute configuration in positions 4a and 10b as the compound (−)-cis-1,2-dimethoxy-4-(2-aminocyclohexyl)benzene having the optical rotation [α]_(D) ²⁰=−58.5° (c=1, ethanol), which can be employed as a starting material.
 6. An N-oxide of the compounds of formula I as claimed in claim 1 for use in the treatment of illnesses.
 7. A medicament comprising at least one N-oxide of the compounds of formula I as claimed in claim 1 together with pharmaceutical excipients and/or vehicles.
 8. The use of the N-oxide of the compounds of the formula I as claimed in claim I for the production of medicaments for treating airway disorders. 